Marantz Unleashes Network Audio Player and DAC

The AirPlay-enabled NA-11S1 from Marantz wirelessly streams web radio and popular music services.

When it comes to one-stop shopping for home music entertainment these days, the options seem to be growing every day.

Throw venerable brand Marantz into that mix, with the introduction of its $3,499 NA-11S1 Network Audio Player and DAC, which features AirPlay for direct playback of your iTunes collection and the ability to wirelessly stream Internet radio stations, Pandora, Sirius XM and Spotify.

To optimize the sound quality of even your lowly MP3 files, Marantz says the NA-11S1 “is equipped with dual master audio clock generators with jitter reduction for numerous sampling frequencies and bit depths, up to 192 kHz/24 bits.” The player/DAC runs the gamut on digital file support so you should be pretty safe calling up whatever’s in your collection, including WAV, WMA, MP3, MPEG-4 AAC, FLAC and ALAC, plus DSD over PCM, according to the company.

Marantz includes its proprietary HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology in several areas, such as the final analog output stages of the digital-to-analog conversion process, which can be delivered to your preamp via unbalanced RCA or balanced XLR output flavors.

Other connection options include dual digital coaxial and optical inputs/outputs on the rear panel, so you can hook up other devices to take advantage of the DAC. There’s a USB type A port on the front panel for directly connecting a portable device (and charging it), and a type B port on the rear panel for connecting a PC. Marantz says its new ground/signal isolator helps reduce the bugaboo of PC signal noise.

On the outside, the Reference-class beauty for Marantz features a 5mm top panel and dual-layer bottom plate as well as die-cast aluminum cabinet feet.

The NA-11S1 comes with a remote control, but you can also use the Marantz Remote App for iOS or Android command.